Rotary plow.



' Patented-Feb. 25; 1913;

s gums-sum 1.

wuwmooeo -J; B. LAMB. ROTARY PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 191 2 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. I, I: 5 C5.

Elm/120M 00 "J. E. LAMB. I

ROTARY PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1912.

1,054,571. I Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

wikmeoogo FFICE.

JOSEPH. pnwm Lmvni,"orunion cmmcn, MIssIss11 P1.

' ROTARY n w.

Specification of Letters'ratent. Patented Feb. 25, 1913- Application, filed July 8, 1912. Serial 1%. 702,343.

To all whom it may concern: 4

' Be it known that I, .Josnrn E.-LAMB, a citizen of the United States,*residing at Union Church, in the county of Jefferson, State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Rotary j PlowsfandQI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description I of. the invention, suchas will enable others elevated above the skilled in the art to-which make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in agricultural implements of the rotary plow type The princlpalolqectof the invention is to provide an implement of the character described in which the plow 'is normally held in o-perative, engagement with a driving mechanism, and which is automatically disengaged from said driving mechanism and ground .upon the plow striking an obstruction, such as a ,stone or the like, thereby avoiding any. danger of the. plow becoming broken.

Another object of the invention is to proit appertains to vide an 'implementof the character described which is provided with means for automatically retaining the plow in its elevated position. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for manually raising and automatically locking the plow out of engagement with the driving mechanism and above the ground, whereby the implement may be readily transported from place to lace. p A still further object of theinvention is to provide'a novel mechanism for manually releasing the locking means, so as to permit of the plow to quickly return to its normal position in engagement with the driving mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an implement 0 1;tl1 character described which is composed of a relatively few number of parts, is therefore simple in construction, and is cheap to manufacture.

With these-and other objects in View, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination'of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes n the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be, resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1' is a side elevation of an implement constructed in accordance with my invention, the plow being shown in its normal position, Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the plow being shown in its elevated position, Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 isa detail sectional view showing'one of the means employed for-"connecting a set of plows, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the hand lever showing the eccentrics attached thereto.

Likereference numerals designate eorrespending drawings.

Referring to the drawings, -A. designates the main frame of the implement, and this frame includes the usual side sills 55, front end sill 6 and rear end sill 7 A trans versely disposed axle '8 is journaled centrally in the side sills 5 of-the main frame, and mounted upon the ends of the axle are tractor wheels 99 of any suitable conparts in-all the figures of the struction', said wheels being connected to the axles by means of ratchets of ordinary construction, one of said ratchets only being shown, and designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10. By means of these ratchets the implement may be ea'silyturned around corners, as will be readily under stood. Extending forwardly from the front end member 6 is a draft pole 11. Carried by the inner face of each tractor wheel 9 a drive gear 12. v

My invention further comprises a supplemental frame, which is designated .as a

whole by the reference letter B. This frame includes an opposed pair of front upright-s 13-13 and an opposed pair of'rear uprights 1414, the front uprights being each pivoted intermediate its ends upon a transverse shaft 15 which is supported at its ends by the sidesills 5'of the mainframe, and thereinuprights ltare connected by spaced-transg.

verse upper and lower members lfia ndfl' l. I I The lower ends of each respective pairof' uprights 13 and 14 are pivot-ally connected bya link rod 18, and the upper ends of-each respective pair of said uprights are-pivotally connectedby a link rod19.'-

In order to support the rear end n supplemental frame B upon themain frame A, there is provided an opposed pair of e'ccentric rollers 20-20. These rollers normally rest upon the rear port-ions of the side sills 5 of the main frame, and are eccentrically pivoted to the respective rear uprights 14, as at 21. The rollers20 are concentrically connected by an angular shaft 22, and extending at right angles from this shaft is a lever 23 which is normally disposed in a substantially vertical plane. Infthe normal position of the parts as above described, the uprights 13 and 14 are disposed vertically, and as a result, the pivot 21 of the rollers 20' will be disposed in the same horizontal plane as the shaft 22. Upon forward movement of the lever 23, the eccentric rollers 20 will roll slightly forward along the side sills 5 of the main frame, and at the same time the upper portions of the-uprights 13 and 14 will be inclined forwardly. As the rollers 20 are thus moved, the pivots 21 will be caused to move in an arc struck from the center of the shaft 22. As a result, the rear portion of the supplemental frame will be elevated to the position clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In order to manually actuate the lever 23, a hand lever24 is fulcrumed upon the transverse shaft 15.

and a rod 25 has pivotal connectionat its ends to the levers 23 and 24.

In order to lock the supplemental frame B in its elevated position, the rollers 20 are each formed in its periphery with a series of ratchet teeth 26, and these teeth are engaged by gravity pawls 27 which arerespectively pivoted as at 28 to the upper longltudinal links 19 ofthe supplemental frame B.' In order. to simultaneously retract the pawls 27 so as to permit of the supplemental frame B returning to its normal position, there is provided a transverse shaft 29 which has its ends journaled in the upper links 19. Fixed upon the outer ends of this shaft are crankarms 30 30. Bell crank levers 3131 are respectively fulcrumed at their angles upon the upper links 19 of the supplemental frame B. Links 32 are each pivotally connected at one end to one arm of a respective bell crank lever 31, and at its other end, to a respective pawl 27. Links 33-.-33 are each pivotally connectedat one.. end to a respective crankarm 30, andiat its other end to the remaining arm of a respective bell crank lever 31. Fixedly secured to the transverse shaft 29 is a hand lever 34 which, when depressed in a forward direction, will cause the crank arms 30 to pull .upon the, links 33, the links 33 causing t I its normal position.

releasing the eccentric rollers 20 and permit-.

ting the supplemental frame B to return to The, hand levers 9,4

of the implement, and are in close prox imity to an operators seat 35 which is supported 'upon a platform 36 carried by the forward end of the main frame A. ,The supplemental frame B is yieldably held in its normal positionby means of a plurality of coil springs 37 -37, each spring being connected atone end to the front end sill 6 of-the mainframe A, and at its other end to the lower right 13. y My invention furthercomprises 'a rotary plow element, which is designated as a whole by the, reference lettervC. nThisI element'incl'udes a rectangular shaft 38 having rounded ends which are 'journaled in the lower links 18. of the supplemental frame B intermediate the drive gears .12 and the rear uprights 14. Fixed on the outer ends of this shaft are pinions 3939 which normally engage with the drive gears --12'-' and serve to rotate theshaft 38 when the portion-of a respective" front upwithin the supplemental frame B is a p111 rallty of plow sets4040 and 41'41, the

sets being alternately arranged along: the shaft.

lVhile I have shownfour of these sets, it will of course be understood that more or less number of sets may be em-' ployed if desired. v

Each set 41 includes an oppositely-ex tending pair of standards 4343 which are? disposed on opposite sides of the shaft 38,

and are' arranged atright anglesthereto. Each standard 43 is formed with oppositely extending lateral feet 44-44 for receiving the inner ends of an opposed pair of standard-s 4545, the last mentioned standards being arranged at right angles to the stand ards 43. Bolts 46 orYother suitable means are employed for connecting the 'feet- 44 of the standard 43 and the standards 45 together. By means of these bolts, all ofsaid I standards are clamped to the axle 38, as will be readily understood. Carried by the outer. ends of the standards 43 and'45 are plows 47 of any-suitable type. Each set 41' includes opposite standards 48-48 V .and 49-49, the former having their inner ends angularly recessed, as at 5050, for enact a gagement with opposed angles of the axle I 38. The standards 49 are provided'with op-' posed lateral feet:5151, andbolts 52 or other suitable fastening means are employed forsecuring the standards 48 and 49 to each other and-to the axle 38.. The standards 48 and '49-are respectively-provided on their outer ends with plows 53 of any suitable type. It will thus be observed that the standards 48 and 49 0f the sets-42 are respectively arranged intermediate the standards 43 and 45' of the sets 41. As a Loosen plows will work in the ground at the same time. In other words, where four sets of plows are shown and four plows on each set, the plows will be successively engaged by pairs in the ground, thus causing eight chopping actions to occur upon each complete revolution of the axle '38.

In operation, should a large stone or other obstruction be engaged by'any pair of these plows, the obstruction. will actas an abutment and cause the axle 38 to remainsub- 'stantially still while the main frame A moves forward a short distance. As a result, the supplemental frame will be swung forwardly upon the shaft 15 as above described, the forward movement of the supplemental frame will cause the eccentric rollers 20 to be shifted, and as a result, the rear end of the supplemental frame B will be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In this position, the pinions 39 will be disengaged from the drive gears 12 and the plows 47 will be elevated some distance. The plow element 0 will be automatically locked in its elevated position through the medium of the gravity pawls 27 operating on the ratchet teeth 26 of the eccentric rollers 20. After the obstruction has been passed,- the operator can readily return the supplemental frame B and con sequently the plow element C to their nor- 'mal positions upon the manipulation of the understood. I

When it is desired to transport the implehand lever 34 asabove described. As soon as the pawls 27'are released by the lever 34, the springs 37 will assist in returning the supplemental frameand the plow element to-their normal positions, as will be readily ment, the hand-lever'24 is actuated, and this lever will actuate the eccentric: rollers 20 in the manner as above described, thereby elevating the-frame B and plow element-C,

and at the same time automatically locking said parts in their inoperative positions.

What is claimed is:

l. Inan agricultural implement,a wheeled main frame including driving means,.arotary plow element supported by the main frame and normally engaged with said driving means, means for automatically disengaging said element from the driving means when said element "strikes an obstruction, and means for automatically lock ng said elementi'n its inoperativeposition.

main frame including driving means, a rotary plow element supported by the main frame and normally engaged witlrsaid driv mg means, means "for automat cally. disen gaging said elementfromthe driving means when said element strikes an obstruction and simultaneously elevating said element, and means for automatically locking said element in its inoperative position.

In an agriculturalIimplement,awheeled 3. In an agricultural implement ,awheeled main frame including driving means, a rotary plow element supported by the main frame and normally engaged with said driving means, means for automatically disengaging said element'from the driving means when said element strikes an obstruction,

means for automaticallylocking said element in its inoperative position, and means for releasing said locking means.

4. Inan agricultural .'inplement,awheeled main frame including driving means, a. rotary plow element supported by the main frame and normally engaged with said driv ing means, means for automatically disengaging'said element from the driving means when said element strikes an obstruction and simultaneously elevating said element, means for automatically locking said, element in its inoperativeposition, and means for releasing said locking means.

5;. In an agricultural impleinenhawheeled main frame including a driving means, a rotary plow element supported by the main frame andnormally engaged with said driving means, means foryieldably holding said element in engagement with the driving means, and means for automatically disengaging said element from the driving means against the tension of said yleldable means when said element str1kes an obstruction.

6. In an agricultural implement-,awheeled main frame including'a driving means, a roframe and normally engaged with said driving means, means. for yieldably'holding said element in engagement with the driving means, means for automatically disengaging said element fromthe driving means against the tension of the yieldable' means when said ioa element strikes an obstruction'and siinultaneously elevating said element, and means for automatically locking said element'in its inoperative position.

i 8. In an agricultural impleinent,awl1eeled main frame including a driving means, a supplemental frame including a link fulcrumed intermediate its ends upon the main frame, a rotary plow element supported by the supplemental frame and normally engaged'with said driving means, and means carried bythesupplemental frameand engaging the main frame for automatically disengaging said element from the driving means when said element strikesan obstruction.

9 In an agricultural implement,a wheeled main frame including a driving, means, a

supplemental frame including anal; fulcrumed mtermediate its ends uponf rthe main frame, a rotary plow element supported by the supplemental frame. and normally engage'd with said driving means, means car ried by the supplemental-frame and engaging" the main frame for automatically .disengaging said element from the driving tion, and means for automatically locking said element in it's inoperative position.

. 10. In an agricultural implement, the

combination with' a'main frame, of tract-0r wheels supporting said frame, a driving" gear car-'ried by one 'of'said wheels, a supplemental frame fulcrumedupon the main framefor longitudinal swinging move ments, a transverselydisposed shaft carried bythe supplemental frame, a plow fixed on said shaft to rotate therewith, a pinion carried by'said shaft and adapted in one position of the supplemental frame to mesh with said drive gear, and means for automatically I disengaging the pinion from the gear when the plow strikes an obstruction.

'11. In an agricultural Implement, the

combination with a mainframe, of tractor wheels supporting said frame, a driving gear carried by one of saidwheels, ja supplemental frame fulcrumed upon. the main frame for longitudinal swinging movements,

a transversely disposed shaft carried by the supplemental frame, a plow fixed on said I f shaft to rotate therewith, a pinion carried 40V of the supplemental frame to mesh with said bysaid shaft and adapted in one position drivegear, means connecting said frames for yielda'bly holding the pinion in engage- .ment with the gear, and means for automatically swinging the supplemental frame against the tension of the yieldable. means for disengaging the pinion fro-m the gear y when the plow strikes an obstruction.

12. In an agricultural implement, the combination with a main frame, of tractor wheels supportingsaid frame, a driving gear carried by one of said wheels, a supplemental frame fulcrumed upon the main frame for longitudinal swinging movements, a transversely disposed shaft carried by the supplemental frame, aplow fixed on-said shaft to rotate therewith, a pinion carried by-said shaft and adapted in one positionof thesupplemental frame to mesh with said drivegear, means for automatically disengaging the pinion from the gear when the plow strikes anlobstruction, and means for automatically locking said plow in its inop; erative positionf 13. In an agricultural implement, the

combination with a main frame, of tractor wheels supporting said frame, a driving gear carried by one of. said wheels, a supplemental frame fulcrumed upon the main frame for longitudinal swinging movements, a trans.- versely disposed shaftcarried by the supplemental frame, a plow fixed on said shaft torotate therewith, a pinion carried by said shaft and adapted in'one position of the supplemental frame to mesh with said drive gear, means connecting said frames for yieldably holding the pinion in engagement with g the gear, means .for automatically swinging the supplemental frame against the. tension of the yieldable' means for disengaging the pinion -from the gear whenthe plow strikes an obstruction, means for automatically locking-said element in its in operative position, and means for releasing said locking means.- 14. In an agricultural imp1ement,fthe

combination with a mainframe, of tractor wheels supporting said frame, a driving gear carried byone of said wheels, a supplemental.

frame fulcruined upon the main frame for longitudinal swinging movements, atrans- .versely disposed shaft carried by the supplemental frame, a plurality of sets of plows lfixed on the shaft to rotate therewith, the

plows of alternate sets being respectively positioned intermediate the plows of the other sets, apinioncarried by said shaft and adaptedin one position'o'f the supplemental the uprights, a transversely disposed shaft I carried by the lower link, a plow fixed on said shaft to rotate -therewith, a pinion carriedby said shaft and adapted in one position of the supplemental frame to mesh with said. driving gear, and means for .automatically disengaging the pinion from the gear when the plow strikes an obstruction.

16'. In an agricultural implement, the combination with a main frame, of tractor wheels supporting saidfram e, a driving gear carried byone of said wheels, a supplemental frame including spaced front and rear-up-' rights, thefront uprights being each fulcrumed intermediate its ends upon the main frame, upper and lower hnks respectively connected to'the upper and lower ends of..-

the uprights, a transversely disposed shaft carried by the, lower link, a plow fixed on said shaft to rotate therewith, a pinion carried' by said shaft and adapted in one position of the supplemental frame to mesh with said d-riving'gear, a roller eccentrically piv-. t

Qted to one of the rear uprights and bearing upon the main frame, and adapted when the plow strikes an Obstruction to swing the supplemental frame to disengage the pinion from the driving gear, said roller being formed on its periphery with a plurality of ratchet teeth, and a gravity pawl carried by the ndjacent upper link for engagement with the ratchet teeth of the roller to lock the upplemental frame in its inoperative posi- -10n.' 15

In testimony whereof, I Yaifix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH EDWIN LAMB. 

